The Los Angeles Clippers are in a perfect position to go deep in the 2019-20 NBA playoffs. They are making strides with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George but still lack personnel playing their proper positions. One slot that needs improvement is the middle.
Right now, Montrezl Harrell is playing the center position. Standing only 6-foot-7, there is no question that the 32nd pick of the 2015 NBA Draft is severely undersized. Head coach Doc Rivers' ploy of using him may be paying off for now. However, the story will be entirely different once winning time comes around.
With the NBA trade deadline set for Feb. 6, the Clippers are one of the teams believed to be actively looking for a trade. One player they are expected to dangle is Maurice Harkless. The 26-year-old guard from Queens will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and the Clips are likely to trade him now in an effort to try and get something in return.
One target that makes sense for the Clippers is Aron Baynes per Eric Pincus of the Bleacher Report. The Australian basketball player is having a great year with the Phoenix Suns, averaging 12.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and2.2 assists in 25 games per Basketball-Reference.com. With good numbers, it will be interesting if the Suns would be open to trading the 33-year-old center. Harkless could be dangled but the Suns could be open to taking in Ivica Zubac. The Croatian showed promise with the Lakers but his four-year deal may turn Phoenix off.
It should be noted that Baynes is a player who can help space the floor. This would give Leonard and George some breathing space, allowing them to operate better. The 6-foot-10 would be counted on to protect the rim and haul the rebounds. In short, heavy scoring is not needed from Baynes.
With roughly a month to go, the Clippers are aware that they need help upfront. They are well on their way to possibly colliding with the Los Angeles Lakers where they will have to address an Anthony Davis problem. Rather than target other players as a backup, adding someone like Baynes could improve their upcoming matchup problems.
The following weeks should reveal who the Clippers will add and let go. Baynes may not be the only big man they are eyeing, meaning they will see who among the big man are on the block. They will also have to do some pencil-pushing to make sure they don't overdo it as far as the team salary budget is concerned.
